Several years ago I met a psychiatric colleague who I had studied with at the beginning of my residency training at the University of Montreal.He had developed a reputation as a teacher of CBT(Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). I had a question for him.” Most of the people I give CBT homework assignments like keeping a thought log don’t end up doing them. What do you suggest?”He responded that these kind of homework assignments don’t work.S o I asked him what he did”I teach them self-talk.That’s the most effective part of CBT”. For those who are not aware of CBT, let me clarify that the basis of this treatment is to replace dysfunctional, irrational thoughts with rational ones.

O.K. “So How can I put this to work on myself?”I thought.I began watching my own internal process and realized that there were at least three states I had to deal with.1) The first was the rush of ideas and plans and concerns that fill up our minds on a regular basis.”I need to finish this quickly”;”I have to get on to the next chore”;”When will I find time to do this other thing?There is a deadline for that”. All of these”busy” thoughts crowd our minds and create stress. Response“There’s no rush”(And most often there isn’t.)

2) The surges of anxiety.We detect a spot on our skin.Maybe it’s a melanoma?! Our child is late from school.Maybe they had a car accident.A patient misses an appointment.Maybe they made a suicidal attempt.And each time we think these thoughts our adrenaline increases and the adrenocortical system gets activated.Reponse:“There’s no danger”and usually there isn’t.

3) What Sheikh Nuh called the third piece of Lasagna lol-the desire reflex.We just had an ice cream and we want another and another.The bulimic reflex.We spent time with a person we really care about and we want to see them again right away.But it’s too early and they will feel invaded.This can even take a spiritual form.I just experienced a spiritual state(hal) and I want it to continue.But you can’t do it.That state is not in your control.Only your Lord can order it. Response”There’s no need.”

For those who need a spiritual reference we can see here three of the Buddhist klesas(obstacles to enlightenment-desire,aversion and agitation.)With this simple method we can quiet those klesas.I am in the process,myself, of testing this out.Try it yourself and send me your comments.

In resumé, remember:”There’s no rush,there’s no danger,and there’s no need”Try it and see.